Interview about Folding Seasons Coffee Table, winner of the A' Furniture Design Award 2023
The concept is conceived from the Fibonacci spiral occurring in nature. This 3-dimensional spiral design is crafted using 4 concentric circles to form the top spiral while the bottom part is a flip mirror. These circles would form an endless loop resembling that of a spiraling star held in suspension. The spiral blades form undulated peaks and valleys while these points are meticulously calculated to form supports for the tabletop and base. 4 highest peaks to support the top while the subsequent 4 valleys form the bases. This gave the sculpture a sense of transparency, fluidity and cantilever
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsThe Folding Seasons coffee table is designed with the concept of interlocking and morphing of 4 ellipses. These elliptical splines take upon the curvature of the Fibonacci arc while its structural proportions utilizes the numeric concept ratio of 1: 1.68.
Earth orbits around an elliptical path around the sun while rotating within her own axis. This rotation and revolution gave us the contrast between day and night while gradually brought us to experience changing seasons every year. Seasonal change is gradual and never abrupt. It resembles the gradual rise and setting of the sun whereby this sun’s path arches changes between solstices. These attributes set inspiration to the creation whereby 4 ellipses are interlocked and morphed to reflect endless smooth flowing of lines with their pitches and valleys forming naturalistic structural supports to the unit.
Steam bending of plywood had been a great learning experience. With the lack of professional equipment, I have resorted to different methods ranging from using home cooking appliances, improvise self-made plastic steam chamber to utilizing steam cleaning devices and boilers. Small 1:5 scale plywood models were first experimented by placing it above a boiling pot. This has brought great results and convinced me on the viability of this technique. Further experiment on a 1:1 scale prototype proved to be very difficult as I was unable to attain an even temperature to ensure uniform bending for the entire unit, resulting in cracks, variable curvatures and warps. Finally, I reached the solution to adhere 2 identical steam bend pieces together. Upon attaining the desired form, the life model was digitally scan and input in CAD. An aluminum alloy model was later created using CNC machining.
The loops would converge at the center (top and bottom) with a circular cut-out, metaphorically portraying our pivotal experience around the cyclical change. This hole would house a centered piece vase functioning as a lock between the base structure and the glass top. The plant or flower in the vase reminds us of life’s fleeting moments and to appreciate the moments we live in.
Multiple prototype models of various materials were tested for strength and stability. They included 3-d printed plastic and metal models and scaled plywood prototypes. The aluminum alloy table proved to have the best structural performance holding up to 80kg. To achieve maximum visual lightness, strength and minimal weight, the thickness of the unit was adjusted from 12mm to 8mm thick.
The Folding Seasons table is designed either Aluminum alloy with glass or Aircraft plywood with glass. The metal version gave the best slender effect with maximum rigidity, strength and economy of production. Crystallized glass top allows maximum transparency thus giving focus to the base sculptural form. Aircraft plywood version has all the visual and structural attributes. It is thicker and shows it plywood nature on the edges while bringing a warmer touch to the experience.
I approached the design with the intent to solve a common safety problem whereby the glass top could potentially shift and fall off its stand. As such, during the beginning stage of designing, it was premeditated to ensure a circle pin lock be incorporated into the stand and this centered piece would hold significant ‘spiritual’ status in the design.Furthermore, upon removing the glass vase, power cables can be channel through.
If the base stand were to be reduced to its simplest form by only keeping the perimeter trim, 2 separate spline entities would arise. Thus giving rise to create design series in the future. Further simplification from a 4 elliptical form to that of 3 creates a more elegant outlook as well.
The ripple glass-top idea is conceive with the same safety idea in mind. The designed contoured surfaces of the glass surface when place over the base stand gave resistance when pushed. Thus, if the centered glass vase version is not desirable, an optional ripple glass top can be use.
The 3-fold and tubular design versions have undergone rigorous iterations and they have successfully inherited the full essence of the initial conceived design. We have working prototypes and is currently in discussion for mass production.
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